Assam continues ‘advisory’ against travel to Meghalaya

Assam on Friday continued to ‘advise’ people from the state not to travel to Meghalaya as the “situation is not very good” following a clash in a disputed border area between the two neighbouring states in which six persons were killed four days ago. Transportation of fuel from Assam to the hill state has also been stopped by the apex petroleum workers’ body since Thursday following reports of attacks on vehicles from the state in Meghalaya, though other vehicles ferrying goods continued to cross the border.

The situation at the clash site in West Karbi Anglong district continued to remain tense but under control with security forces ensuring no further flare-ups, official sources said. Restrictions under CrPC section 144 also remained in force in the area, they added. “Yesterday in Shillong, the public burnt police vehicles. The situation is not very good. That’s why we are advising people not to travel, especially people from Assam,” Deputy Commissioner (East) of Guwahati Police Sudhakar Singh told PTI.

He said non-Assamese people have been travelling to Meghalaya, but they are being asked to go in vehicles that do not have Assam registration number plates. “The advisory (on avoiding travel to Meghalaya for people from Assam) remains,” the officer added. Cachar Superintendent of Police Nomal Mahatta also said similar restriction on people and vehicles from Assam entering Meghalaya through his district also is in force.